Jobless Rates Down In 111 Counties

FRANKFORT — Unemployment rates fell in 111 Kentucky counties between February 2011 and February 2012, while nine county rates increased, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 6.9 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 7.1 percent; Oldham County, 7.4 percent; Union and Webster counties, 7.7 percent each; Henderson County, 7.8 percent; Daviess County, 7.9 percent; and Franklin, Madison and Ohio counties, 8 percent each.

Fulton County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 18.3 percent. It was followed by Menifee County, 17.3 percent; Magoffin County, 16.5 percent; Jackson County, 16.3 percent; McCreary County, 15.2 percent; Bell, Clay and Wolfe counties, 14.7 percent each; Lewis County, 14.3 percent; and Leslie County, 14.2 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.